Enter Three Dragons Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Enter Three Dragons" by Severin Films presents a mixed bag in terms of video quality, featuring an AVC encoded 1080p transfer with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. This presentation, derived from a Transcontinental internegative, shares both the strengths and weaknesses noted in other films within this collection. The transfer is marked by unusual anamorphic distortions where frames appear skewed, almost like a parallelogram, which may distract from the film's visual experience. Additionally, some squeezing towards the center of the frame is evident, although the damage present is moderate and less severe than typically seen in similar releases.

Despite these imperfections, the scan offers unexpected levels of detail and visual engagement. The print generally balances dirt and damage, while a mild grain texture complements the encode without issue. Facial details are treated with notable sharpness, taking only a mild toll from the film’s age. The color palette, though variable, ranges from a faded brown to surprisingly vibrant hues during certain scenes, particularly outdoor segments that benefit from better saturation and warmth.

Contrast levels stand as the principal concern, occasionally resulting in overexposed frames with clipped highlights that could be attributed to either deliberate artistic choices or production mishaps. Nonetheless, black levels perform admirably, contributing depth to nighttime sequences. Overall, this Blu-ray release delivers a satisfactory visual presentation with moments of clarity, though hindered by technical constraints characteristic of its source material.

The Blu-Ray audio presentation of "Enter Three Dragons" offers a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track that, while aiming for nostalgic authenticity, falls short on technical excellence. The track is characterized by noticeable high-end distortion, resulting in sibilance in spoken dialogue and a metallic timbre within its musical score. This distortion is particularly evident in percussion elements, amplifying the track's deficiencies. The overall audio quality is further compromised by a boxy sound that introduces a hollow ambience, affecting the film's iconic “chop socky” sound effects and subtracting from their intended impact.

In pursuit of recreating the "drive-in theater" experience, the English dubbed dialogue is rendered in a way that sounds distant and detached—an effect some may find endearing. However, the music, although attempting to showcase dynamic range, suffers similarly from tinny top-end issues conflating with the dialogue. Despite these shortcomings, the audio offers optional English subtitles for viewers seeking clarity amid the auditory imperfections. For enthusiasts of vintage cinema, this track successfully preserves an era-specific audio charm, yet it may disappoint audiophiles seeking pristine sound fidelity.

The Blu-ray extras for "Enter Three Dragons" offer a distilled yet informative glimpse into the film's historical and cultural backdrop. The principal feature in this collection is a brief introduction by Michael Worth, a noted actor, director, and expert in the Bruceploitation genre. Worth provides valuable context, likely enhancing the viewing experience for aficionados and newcomers alike. Enhancing its utility, this introduction is available as a standalone feature or can be accessed through the Play Menu, seamlessly transitioning into the main feature. This thoughtful integration demonstrates a strategic approach to viewer engagement. Beyond this, the disc includes a high-definition trailer. While limited in variety, the quality and intention behind these extras align well with the thematic essence of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Severin's Kung Fu Theater with Michael Worth: Expert introduction on Bruceploitation.
• Trailer: High-definition preview of the film.

"Enter Three Dragons," part of Severin Films’ "The Game of Clones: Bruceploitation Collection Vol. 1," is a quintessential example of the inventive yet chaotic 1970s Brucesploitation genre, though it struggles with coherence and technical execution. Embracing the concept of multiple Bruce Lee look-alikes, director Joseph Kong crafts a plot involving artifact smugglers and their hero adversaries. However, the narrative remains largely impenetrable, relying heavily on action sequences that falter due to their haphazard design and lack of narrative continuity. The character development is nominal at best, with protagonists sharing little more than fleeting introductions before engaging in poorly choreographed skirmishes. Dragon Lee, a prominent figure in the genre, headlines the cast, yet even his involvement can't rescue the film from its own narrative confusion and lack of precision.

Amidst its shortcomings, "Enter Three Dragons" is buoyed by Michael Worth's witty and affectionate commentary that acknowledges the film’s absurdities while expressing an underlying respect for the genre's ingenuity. His introductions in the Blu-ray collection may prove enlightening for viewers unfamiliar with Brucesploitation. Worth’s remarks highlight parallels to later films like "The Clones of Bruce Lee," though this particular film acts more as a precursor rather than a complementary piece due to its lack of narrative clarity. Despite its technical flaws, having this film in high-definition as part of a collectible set ensures that enthusiasts of the genre will likely appreciate the deep dive into this cinematic subculture's eccentricities.

In sum, "Enter Three Dragons" is a zany ride through a distinctly curious period of martial arts cinema history. While not reaching the level of cult masterpiece, it provides glimpses into the creative lengths filmmakers would go to capitalize on Bruce Lee’s enduring legacy. Viewers seeking coherence or artistic excellence might find themselves underwhelmed. However, for enthusiasts keen on exploring the quirks and unpredictable narratives that define Brucesploitation, "Enter Three Dragons" offers a distinctively nostalgic experience filled with unintentional humor and relentless unpredictability.

"Enter Three Dragons" on Blu-ray is a mixed bag that teeters between entertaining chaos and technical shortcomings. While the film attempts to captivate with its unconventional narrative and unpredictable style, viewers may find themselves perplexed by its incoherent plot and lackluster choreography. The film's intention to entertain is clear, yet the execution leaves much to be desired, as it struggles to maintain coherence or a streamlined narrative flow.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray release presents notable hurdles. However, it manages to outperform some of its contemporaries in the set regarding video quality. The transfer quality exhibits an improvement, though not without its imperfections, offering a relatively decent experience for a film of this genre and era. The audio, however, does not fare as well and remains a point of contention for those seeking a polished auditory journey.

In conclusion, Michael Worth's whimsical notion of ingesting three drinks and three cookies before viewing might indeed enhance the experience, suggesting it requires an altered state of mind akin to watching cult classics with an absurdist bent. "Enter Three Dragons" finds itself compared, perhaps unfavorably, with films like "The Clones of Bruce Lee," yet it possesses a quirky charm of its own. While the film's narrative and technical aspects could have been executed with more finesse, it presents a unique viewing experience that may entertain fans of the genre through its sheer audacity and occasionally humorous missteps.